Vulvodynia Remedies

Vulvar Vestibulities / Vulvodynia may be a type of Lichen Planus

I have had extreme (like on fire) pain in my vagina since I was 25 years old (I am 58). Many doctors, no answers. About 2 years ago I got very raw lesions in my mouth, inside my right cheek and had them biopsied. Just looking at the white striations and irritated area he had guessed it was Oral Lichen Planus, and he was right. It is an autoimmune condition and can show up in your vagina too. It basically means the mucus membranes in your body are breaking down. I'm not sure if I am allowed to post a link but this doctor has really clear easy to understand explanation of it and some food and vitamin ideas that are supposed to help. I also had one blue mole about the size of a grain of rice show up on my leg just like he says. Mine doesn't hurt unless I provoke it, thank goodness, so I don't know if his ideas work but it does seem eating chickpeas (garbanzo beans) helps me. https://draxe.com/health/lichen-planus/

I was diagnosed with both interstitial cystitis and vulvodynia. The doctor I went to only wanted to give drugs for it and I never thought about finding a natural solution until now. My vulva pain is only during attempted intercourse. Just touching the vulva is painful and I can't continue. I will try the castor oil and also try the supplements suggested.

Worth a try. (I like the technique where you make a list of every negative thing you can remember and tap thru the list.) For some other condition, for a short while, I was on a low fodmap diet. While my inflammation was low, I noticed how much pain was triggered by being judgmental. I noticed with any thoughts that required judgment I would subtly and unconsciously tense muscles in or near my pelvis. Being "hateful' or just choices between things would trigger pain. Learning to keep those muscles relaxed was my breakthrough. It is now easier to recognize other triggers.

Parasitic infections such as trichomoniasis, amebiasis, and schistosomiasis usually involve the vagina as well as the vulva. The diagnosis can easily be made by identifying the organism on a cytologic preparation or in a biopsy specimen. A parasite treatment may help. Black walnut, wormwood, cloves, and diatomaceous earth all kill parasites. Worth looking into. Check out the symptoms of parasites...bowel issues, itching, swelling, anxiety, nausea, urinary issues, joint paint, etc etc. Everyone has parasites and this might contribute or be a direct cause of vulvodynia.

Take caution, as Anti depressants are over prescribed to children, it's a sad epidemic. I am responsible for my own health and refuse to allow pills to be pushed on me. I'm an advocate for finding the root cause, which the pills will never address the root cause. Diet, vitamin supplements, minerals, exercise should be our first line of research.. Avoiding starch, gluten and sugar. Edgar Casey, and Sally Fallon have readings that can help.

Replying to the posts from 2010 and 2012 to those who used coconut oil for vulvodynia:

Organic Castor Oil is critical, not coconut oil. A holistic healer woman told me coconut oil is not the best for the vagina. I buy the castor oil by heritage in the brown glass bottle and it allowed me to soothe my vagina pain, stop itching at night. In combination with Baking soda, I dilute aluminum free sodium carbonate with distilled / or spring water, and then mix castor oil - ensure it's organic. I apply after I pee every time. This helped me alot. Castor oil can be used alone topically or inside the vagina. Wishing you wellness and strength.

Not coconut oil! Use organic castor oil, it's a way better oil for the vaginal area. Something about coconut is cold and drying where castor oil is warm and truly healing. Research. Happy I was told a few months ago, as I was a vitamin E, coconut oil person, but the switch is smart.

Carley Rae taught me it's not called a Pelvic Floor. She has a helpful instagram page dedicated to vaginal health. She taught me there is NO PELVIC FLOOR. It's a bowl. The medical industry was wrong in calling our our body a "floor" when there is nothing floor like about it. This change of mind has helped me understand my body better. I hope it helps you to understand, too.

We all can heal the root of our disease, we just need to take out health into our own hands, research (Thank you Earth Clinic) and be prepared to try and fail until you find a solution. Staying open minded, optimistic, and empowered is key. We have the power to heal entirely, but we must get to the root of the disease. Our bodies are amazing . Look to diet and start by avoiding sugar, gluten, and starch. Edgar Casey and Sally Fallon have brilliant readings

Vitamins in pure powder form with ZERO additives.

NO TABLETS / NO PILLS : , vitamins C - push the limit, some is the same as non- you must cross the threshold for it to have an effect. I take 2,000M G daily and push to consume more. start with 1,000 MG daily

ZINC!!!, and all your B's, Magnesium Citrate, IODINE Lugols (I'm on three drops daily 3x's a week)

Amino Acids

Aluminum FREE sodium bicarbonate drink in water and topical solution

Take Fulvic Minerals

detox the liver with borax

Take caution, as Anti depressants are over prescribed to children, it's a sad epidemic. I am responsible for my own health and refuse to allow pills to be pushed on me. I'm an advocate for finding the root cause, which the pills will never address the root cause. Diet, vitamin supplements, minerals, exercise should be our first line of research.. Avoiding starch, gluten and sugar. Edgar Casey, and Sally Fallon have readings that can help.

How long did you have to take this before you noticed a difference? I have been taking for 2 months now and have not noticed any relief..

This was a very inspiring and brave post. I don't know if you will see it, but I send you love and hugs and pray you found a long term solution.

I never had any burning but my pain has been sharp and raw on the lips. I'm taking Lysine and C-1000 for my symptoms and have forgotten days and paid for it deeply (oops! )

It started last year in November and hasn't gone away since, and with various levels of pain. I've tried several different things for it but only the Lysine has lessened my suffering.

Please give your daughter d-mannose filled up to level with the childrens Tylenol measurement scoop. Fill it up to 10ml mark and 1 capsule of 400mg solaray cranberry 3x a day. My daughter had the same thing she got better with this combo.

I started to experience intense burning earlier this year that was constant for nearly 3 months. I was in agony. Had multiple yeasts and UTI tests done, with the result coming back negative. Much like everyone else's experiences here. What I found that finally soothed the burning was taking internally baking soda tablets (or powder mixed in water)

Since then I've had a few minor and short relapses with the burning. I've noticed now what brings it on, and what soothes it quickly.

Too much sugar, caffeine, or alcohol, combined with being dehydrated from not drinking enough water will definitely bring on a flare-up. Yes, diet is extremely important. I already eat mostly vegan and have had a very clean diet for many years. I notice when I start to eat too acidic or unhealthy processed foods or am dehydrated the pain comes.

What I have found that heals it quickly are tea tree oil suppositories. (can find on Amazon) One fully inserted and one hanging out at the vaginal opening for direct exposure. Within 30 minutes the burning will be gone, only to return whenever my diet, hydration, or stress levels become unbalanced.

Everyone's triggers and cures may be different, but this is what has worked for me. After having the immediate relief with tea tree oil suppositories I'm beginning to believe that it is some sort of yeast or bacteria that may be deep in the skin, not necessarily in the secretions that are typically tested.

My mom mentioned that one of her friends had IC, with the same burning sensations, and drinking baking soda to alkalize her bladder worked for her.

2 months before my symptoms started I did have a UTI with blood and when I peed I had nerve pain shoot down my leg! Never had such a pain with UTI before! I did take antibiotics and it cleared up, but I was reading how sometimes all the bacteria isnt killed off and remains stuck to the bladder walls. And this kind of imbalance in the bladder can be connected to causing nerve pain in the vulva. I'm suspecting some combination of all these things mentioned above is what triggered my vulvodynia.

I purchased a supplement called D-Mannose yesterday, It is a type of sugar related to glucose that your body does not absorb but pisses out. When it's in the bladder it prevents bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder, and then you can pee out the bacteria. I will try this over the next few weeks.. I'm hoping this last flare up I had last night will be my last one ever. SO YES. DIET and HYDRATION are SUPER IMPORTANT! and possibly look into creating an internal environment that is inhospitable to hidden yeast, candida, and bacteria.

How was cytolytic vaginosis diagnosed?

Thank you so much for posting and sharing your experiences and hopeful outlook!

I was very surprised to see Vitamin C recommended in a post here as a treatment for vulvodynia and/or IC. Vitamin C converts to oxalate in the body. It is also highly acidic. My personal experience with Vitamin C was that it caused intense flareups. I avoid it at all costs!

What are the herbal adrenal support hormones you have tried?

Thanks for your comment Breza and the cherry did not help but I still have burning that came back recenty and constant going to the bathroom day and night. I recently got on baking soda and that has helped the burning a good bit but not the bathroom runs day and night, but still trying to find what to do for that. My PH has been checked and that is very good at this time. Thanks for your help. Kathy

For Vulvodinia:

Check oxalic acid level in your body (oxalates). Had a same problem for few years and naturopath discovered very high level of Mg oxalates. Frequent urination, itchy genital area, burning, increased discharge, genital tissue was cut with crystals ... Cherry juice helps, avoid food rich with oxalic acid

Hi. I was wondering if you had burning in the Vulva too. Mine is on one side and is swollen now. I am having small spasms in the front where the pain is. Everytime I pee, the burning gets worse!!

Anna thanks for your reply and could you tell me how long you stayed on the combo? I have been on it for 3 weeks or more now and did not know how long to continue doing it. Also about how long did it take you go stop frequent peeing, as I am still doing lots of that and it keeps me up at night alot and breaking up my sleep. Thanks again.

Kathy of Atlanta, that is really great to hear. I know it seems that this combo doesn't help everyone but even just a few who are suffering might get relief it makes me feel good because this is such a terrible condition to be in. Only another women with this condition can really understand what it's really like to suffer this way. By the way, the frequent peeing for me was a big issue also when I had the vulva pain but it went away and nowadays I know when I am getting worse because I start the peeing again and then I make sure I take the combo.

After about 3 years of lots of pain, burning, and pressure, I came across your remedy and trying so many of natural products for these years I could not get anything that would really help me. I started out with a UTI and antibotics did not help, it just would come back. I was miserable all the time and in pain and hurting. Your remedy is the first one that is actually working for me. I have been on it for about a week and no more pain or burning so far. I still pee too frequently and do not know what is causing that, but just getting rid of the burning and pain has been a big help. I still do not know really what is the real problem but continue to research and hope to find out eventually so I can get my life back. Thanks so much Anna, for sharing.

I have the same symptoms. Randomly started a few months ago. Burning sensation at weird times a day. I've had all the tests done and doctors have no idea what it is. I saw this post yesterday and bought the lip balm straight away. I hope it works. Thank you

Look on YOUTUBE for pelvic floor exercises..

Thank you for the scientific information and scientists that spend time researching these types of issues. I will share this info with friends. Very helpful.

I have been doing this since I saw your post almost a year ago... This takes all of the pain away!! And you're right, only one or two applications and I'm good all day. Thank you for posting this... 😂

Tems, have you had your daughter tested for Lichen Sclerosus?

Also, certain birth control pills will bring it on and a switch to another pill (different progestin, estrogen) helps. Notably the YAZ brand has been causing problems for some young people and it's used for Acne as well as for birth control.

Just some things to check out if you haven't already found a diagnosis or treatment.

Hello I have just realized I have what I think is vulvodynia.

when I have sexual intercourse it is very painful around the back entrance of my vulva, like nerve endings are burning/

I am loooking for natural cures... homeopathic or ayurveda .

Anna,, I have not been officially diagnosed with Vulvyndonia. But I have been to the gyno 4 times and every time there has been nothing on the cultures. I don't have much confidence and doctors so I'm going to give your method to try. I did the stretch on the bed this morning and I already felt some relief. I have been having pelvic pain and tightness first over a two month And the burning pain has been for 1 month. I just wanted to reach out to you to see how you are doing and thank you for posting your method!!

I also have vulvodynia and that pain is not permanent but its really sharp pain plz suggest me something n tell me how to use coconut oil

My 29 year old daughter is the one who is suffering from vulvodynia and has seen a number of doctors over the past year and a specialist in vulvodynia who has prescribed a diazepam and gabapentin compounded cream which really hasn't been working. She just recently started seeing a pelvic floor therapist weekly where she is having my daughter use a dilator every night to help stretch the area plus the weekly therapy sessions. I came across your blog and purchased the combo. Not sure if the spirulina I purchased is a quality product because I bought it at Walmart which is the Spring Valley brand. I started her gradually with the NAC and 1000 mg vitamin C and she is also taking B-complex because she has a lot of sensitivities and I want to make sure she can tolerate the pills. I am concerned about stomach upset and diarrhea with the Vitamin C so I will have her gradually increase the vitamin C to 2000 mg then add the spirulina to the mix. I am curious she has been taking a multi vitamin so can she continue with that for the multi mineral or should be taking something completely different then the multi vitamin. She hates taking pills so this needs to be gradual steps vs all at once. I am hoping even with the NAC and part of the Vitamin C she will show some improvement so she will be more open to taking the pills. Crossing by fingers for that to occur. I am curious to your thoughts on this.

I just started feeling these symptoms the burning was out of control all my lab test kept coming back fine GYN exams too even had a sonogram everything fine. Came across your suggestions bought this combo last night and this morning I already feel the difference!!! I also use cold compresses that helps as well. I can't thank you enough for sharing I hope to continue to feel better. Seriously forever thankful!

I am praising God for this article and the one above by another healthcare provider. Yesterday after 1 1/2 years of on and off dealing with this I cried out to God for a healing. I told him I can't keep doing this! I immediately came out to my computer and started researching AGAIN... what can cause this burning? My gyn told me I had a yeast infection but the medication didn't help.... NOTHING helped...until last night when sat in a bathtub with some baking soda in it.... last night in a rural area of Missouri a miracle happened! I am beyond thankful for this site and for those who took the time to post responses and filled with awe at the God I love who directed me to where I needed to go to get the answers! Praise God! I hope all of my fellow sisters in womanhood can find answers to what is causing their problems. I know the pain, I know the depression, I know the missing of being intimate with my spouse. I pray that you are given the relief you so desperately seek! I felt as though I was being burned by acid...turns out I was. Who would think that my own body would be doing this to me? Heart full of gratitude!

I just read this about coconut oil helping/healing women with vulva issues. I broke down in tears, as I've been going through this for almost a year. I just took some coconut oil internally and will be applying it in my lady parts when I go to bed. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you so much for your post, Alexis! You are the 2nd person I've read through these blogs/forums using dietary changes to heal themselves of this issue. I've been dealing with this for 6 years and I've tried so many things which you stated correctly, only helps with the symptoms. I've also spent thousands of dollars seeing specialists that did not help. It can definitely be depressing and it did affect me greatly when I was in a relationship. I am starting today on the raw/whole foods diet. I've already noticed tremendous benefits by cutting out excessive sugar, dairy, and gluten. Something stood out to me when you said you are not completely healed yet though. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that you are consuming fruit as well. If this truly is a ph imbalance and we need to alkalize our body...I'm guessing we have to eliminate fruits as well until this issue is completely resolved. I read a post from one woman and she mentioned getting rid of all fruits when she went on her detox and she is completely healed from this. Some of our typical favorite fruits are acidic. I wonder if you cut them out for a period of time if that can help you as well.

In any case, thank you again for all the great information. I hope many women will see it and benefit from it.

Laura, I know this is an old post, would you be willing to share the name of the Dr you saw in Houston? Thanks in advance

Hi Tems, sorry to hear about your daughter having this awful problem. One thing I would say about these supplements is they are very liver supportive in helping your liver detox and now days with so many toxins in our environment and food maybe this is the reason it has worked for me and some other women. Also I have read NAC, vit. C and spirulina all have anti inflammatory properties along with turmeric and are also good for helping with supporting liver detoxification. I also limit my exposure to things that come in contact with the skin down there like detergents making sure they are hypoallergenic and fragrance free and I don't use soap down there just warm water also a big one for me is using toilet paper made with out using chlorine bleach so I always take my own toilet paper with me. I wonder if your daughter also has sensitive skin in general as I do and this combo helps my skin look and feel better on my face, which seemed to get more sensitive when all this stuff started for me also I was also very sensitive to chemicals in my environment as my symptoms of not just vulvodynia but sore eyes and throat would flare in places like department stores or around any type of chemical fumes. I would really give it a try as the drugs have a lot of side effects like tiredness and weight gain. Better to try the simple things and least harmful things first before you move on to more desperate measures. Also generally I would try to go organic foods and limit her exposure to toxins in her environment. One very good test I read once on whether someone has vulvodynia or just some kind of infection down there is that vulvodynia sufferers usually have other symptoms going on whereas someone with a difficult infection just has problems in the vulva, vaginal area. Just something to think about. Hope she finds relief soon.

PLEASE READ THIS PLEASE!!!!!!

This is to everyone but especially to the woman with the 12 year old with Vulvodynia. I got Vulvodynia this year at 22, and this was honestly the worst thing to ever happen to me, I couldn't imagine how hard it must be for such a young girl :( Please consider what I am saying here even if your daughter is not up to the idea, this is truly for her own good and she will thank you for it later.

If you are coming across websites/blogs/forums that are telling you to change your diet, DON'T IGNORE THEM. I've had Vulvadynia for four months, and it was getting worse and worse. I also began having early symptoms of IC. I was beginning to lose control of my bladder, I experienced a very painful burning sensation every time I peed, and I needed to urinate every 10 minutes even when I wasn't drinking any liquid. I started to become very depressed, I was crying any moment I was alone. I found myself sobbing in the bathroom stalls at work and school, I had to constantly fight tears in public because this was causing me so much pain. I was so behind in school because instead of studying or working on assignments, I would be on my laptop for hours with dozens of tabs about Vulvodynia on my screen. It was the only thing on my mind and I felt so alone since it's not something I wanted to share, and even when I did, it seemed that nobody understood what I was going through physically or emotionally. I was already suicidal, I can't believe when I read these forums and I see that these women have been dealing with this for years!! Idk how they have been able to cope, but bless them for enduring it for so long.

Last month I began a raw food diet, mostly raw green vegetables and green smoothies. I would say that within my first three days, my pain levels went from a 9 out of 10 to a 2 out of 10. After my first week, no more pain at all, just discomfort and my IC symptoms were completely gone! Then the discomfort from my Vulvodynia went from being constant to intermit. After a month into this diet, despite all the times I cheated, I have gone several days with no discomfort at all. PLEASE, start googling raw food detox or how to heal your body with raw food. This may seem difficult, but if you are determined to finally get rid of your pain rather than jumping from doctor to doctor and medication to medication just to "treat" these symptoms (which will actually eventually lead to more issues later in life), then this is going to do it and it will change your life in the process.

Doctors don't know or honestly care about Vuvlodynia, you have to take matters into your own hands and be your own advocate ladies! There is a lot of information online and in books as well as amazing people on youtube that have a vast knowledge of this stuff and they are not trying to sell you anything, they simply want to help people cure their diseases. My favorite Naturopath youtuber is Montrealhealthygirl!

I am not healed completely, but I am optimistic that I will eventually cure my Vulvodynia. There is even a woman online who says she got rid of her Vulvodynia, look up Laura Lehraupt on YouTube, specifically the video titled "how I healed Vulvodynia". In my case, I know that this diet is working because when I first started, I felt a much more severe pain when I cheated on the diet and now I barely do. For instance, yesterday I had my first true and real cheat day with three slices of pizza, 3 cocktails as well as smoking at the end of my night (all terrible, especially if you have any sort of chronic pain). As a result of my cheat day, I had very minor discomfort in the morning, if I did this in the beginning of my diet, I am certain that my pain would be severe and I would have to miss class or work like I have been doing often for the past few months.

Bottom line, even though I was skeptical, I was willing to try anything to CURE my Vulvodynia, not simply "treat it". If you open your mind to this, you will be so incredibly enlightened! Even if you don't believe this will work, what is the harm in trying this for one week? Worst case scenario, you're going to be nauseous or break out in the first few days which is actually a great sign because it tells you that your body is detoxing! You would need to power through despite these symptoms by the way.

Everybody's bodies work differently, so you will have to experiment. For instance, you might not be able to eat raw vegetables at first, your body might be so weak that it won't be able to break down raw food. If you have a chronic pain condition, this is likely the case and also a sure clear sign that you are currently at a very unhealthy state and you need to detox your body!! Once your gut is strong enough to handle raw vegetables, I suggest you stop cooking them since when the food is raw, it has it's highest levels of nutrients. Nutrients is what your body needs right now, you need to help your body get rid of these toxins by giving it a break and eliminating all the processed and unnatural chemicals we call "food" these days. You also need to be consuming the right amount of nutrients to help it fight off your disease. Your illness is a sign of bad health, so you need to get to the source and get your body back to optimum heath. I can't explain all of this on this post, so please do some research and begin to educate yourselves!

Also you need to start drinking A LOT of water, specifically water that is high in alkaline levels, I'm talking at least 2 liters a day. Also start looking into the alkaline diet! The best book I read on this is called "The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health" by Christopher Vasey.

Whatever your doubts are, just think of it this way, what is earth's food? In other words, what are the foods that we know for certain humans should be eating? Raw and organic vegetables, fruits and nuts. This is what humans were meant to eat before we ruined it with all artificial food that we don't realize we are addicted to. Haven't you ever come across those articles about processed sugar being as addicting as cocaine? We don't fully understand the human body yet, but after this, I am convinced that our bodies were made perfect. On the other hand, I think chronic pain conditions like Vulvodynia are signs that you have slowly but surely made your body ill due to your environment, the number one factor in our environment is food since we are directly consuming it. And especially in the Western world, most of us have been consuming this food since we were kids.

I am praying that you consider taking this advice. What I went through in just a short few months was unbearable, no one should have to endure this for another second! So yeah here I am on this site sounding like a health freak, which I never in a million years though I'd become. I still love the bad food and I think it is important to allow yourself a portion of the foods you want from time to time. Overtime, you will stop craving them anyway. In my opinion, the results are better when you are not as high strung and stressed about your diet. Good luck ladies, I wish you the best in whatever route you decide to take!

I was diagnosed with vulvodynia in 2010. I had a lot of burning for about 2 and half months before I knew what it was. The doctor put me on amitriptylin, liodacaine and a very small dose of a hormone that was directly inserted vaginally. I did go on the medication but I think my burning started to go away on its own, because The medication to only help with symptoms could of not acted that fast. The burning did go away and stayed awa for 6 years. About a month ago the burning came back. I am taking the natural root this time. I am taking St John's Wort in place of amitriptylin, ice packs and oatmeal baths instead of liodacaine. Multi-probiotic and vitamin b supplements. Good Healthy low carb diet. Avoiding processed foods as much as possible. I do walk as exercise, I think that it is the safest.

Tems, I'm so sorry your daughter is suffering. I'm still trying to figure out how to stop my vulvodynia, but I have come up with something that provides instant, cooling relief when the pain is bad. I add a tiny amount - about the size of the head of a pin - of Tiger Balm white ointment to some coconut oil or emu oil, and rub it into the vulvar area. It should feel like a fresh, cool breeze, and lasts for a couple hours. If it burns at all, just use less Tiger Balm. This has been a life-saver for me over the past year and a half, and I hope it is helpful for your daughter. You can find Tiger Balm on Amazon.co.uk if it's not available at the chemist. Best of luck to you!

I would look into Perrin's Creme Complete for possible topical relief. There is a Yahoo Low Oxalate Group online with very knowledgeable people and researchers who can help you with a low oxalate diet that has proven to be very beneficial for relief. They have links to a Vulvadynia Society that has specific supplements and protocols for dealing with this problem. I hope she can find some relief soon.

Hi. I have been doing a TON of research and I think the best things to try are:

find your vaginal PH.. if its low, say 3-4 then this is why the baking soda helps because it raises the PH to what it should be -about 4.5. This made me think its my own secretions that are causing the burn -because they are basically too acidic. So, I am going to try alkaline drops in water to slightly increase my body's PH.

In the meantime, other things that def help are:

Sluice with water or bicarb soda/water after peeing so no pee is left on you.

The chapstick works as a barrier -so I think anything like vaseline or sudocreme would work. This links to me thinking its acidic vag juice that starts the burn! If you put barrier against it, your skin is protected. Just a theory.

For me its always post ovulation it starts, so be prepared for a flare then and start the baking soda wash or baths. I don't douche but thats personal pref.

Also another thread with the acid thesis - I tried pre-seed personal lubricant because its ph 7 or so to be sperm friendly and although it stung a bit at first it really helped a lot.

Estrace cream I dab on a little each day to try and toughen up that skin.

So, wash after peeing, use baking soda & water for this and soak in it every day of needed. Use the preseed and maybe try alkaline drops. I am also trying citracal for anti-oxalate. Finally, one site I saw said that from its data, pelvic floor therapy was the No 1 most effective treatment for this, because often the pain is referred from elsewhere. I have an overly tight pelvis floor so I am booked to see a specialist women's pelvic floor therapist. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

I've seen some pretty amazing things happen with energy healing and EFT. There are free EFT videos on youtube to coach you through using EFT for pain (maybe not specifically vulvodina but all the EFT techniques will work the same for pain issues). Should be very helpful.

My 12 year old daughter has vulvodynia it's unbearably to watch her in so much pain. The Dr's have been useless and she has missed 4 weeks of school. I diagnosed her myself online as all the tests came back negative. Today she got prescribed antidepressants but they take time to work and school starts next week do I will see my pharmacist about these vitamin combo's for girls her age. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello my 12 year old daughter has vulvodynia and was prescribed antidepressants today but those take weeks to work. Do you drink the coconut oil or apply it to the affected area. I am desperate to help her. I took the vulvodynia diagnosis to the Dr myself as they have left my poor girl in pain for nearly 2 months making things worse with double strength antibiotics. Any advice would be appreciated on pain relief.

Tems

I saw you are looking for a specialist for painful sex. Dr. Kellogg Spadt is the doctor I use. She is located near Villanova University.

Laura, can you tell me as well who saw you for this.

Laura, can you let me know who you saw as I'm having similar symptoms.

Hi, I too have suffered for that long bit more 4 years, but it doesnt matter, do you get pain all over or just opening? Because mst people have it around the vag opening, but I have it everywhere and it feels terrible like needles stinging all over burning, acheing a lot of discomfort, very desperate, because I feel that I will lose my longterm boyfriend over this, its horrible. I'm very depressed too .I'm 28 too young to not to have a healthy love life.

I just have to share my experience after hearing these Vulvodynia horror stories. I suffered for 3 years, yes years, with this pain. Add menstrual cycle of blood and the pain was consuming. Saw about 4 specialists, had biopsies, laser treatments, ablations, etc. I read, and read and read. Mix up a potion of Desitin and few drops of tea tree oil. I kept it in a tiny container in my purse, to use after urination through out the day. I cleaned the area with sensitive wipes, then applied the creme. Oh my gosh, so much relief...not too much tea tree oil, it too can burn.

At my worst, I also wore an estrogen patch. Also took plenty of Vit E, Vit D3, and some coconut capsules.

If this helps just one other person, glad I took the time to post.

I have been suffering for 3 or 4 weeks with severe burning in vaginal area. It happened once before about a year ago but thought it was due to a bladder infection. This time I had another bladder infection but even after taking antiobiotics and having been cleared of another infection still had intense burning that would not go away. I was also positive for bv but after two rounds of medication still had severe burning where I could not function (usually very active). I read about calcium citrate and just happened to buy the powder for my bones. I took it and the burning went from 10 to a 4. I am still sore and will be seeing a urologist as I still have a little urgency but I am getting relief. I still may need to see my obygn for soreness but so thankful to get a little break from blow torch burning. Please give it a try, calcium citrate, it neutralizes acid. I hope this helps someone.

Anna from Las Vegas, thanks so much for your wonderful advice regarding the reverse lumbar stretch!! I should have thought of it sooner because that's how I fixed my problem with severe sciatica and later the soles of my feet so of course it made total sense and as soon as I tried it it worked!! I just can't believe it could be that easy and I pray that this is my solution (after 3 years of suffering n self medicating) and I extend my sincere thanks from Southern California God bless you dear!!

I have had this pain for over 20 years, undiagnosed (dismissed as "in my head" and "you need to relax") until this past year. A new doctor I was trying finally told me, "this looks like lichen sclerosis." Check it out! There are some very good private groups on facebook where people with LS (autoimmune) (vulvar pain, itching, burning, etc) discuss things that help. I highly suggest everyone who suspects vulvodynia just at least google LS. I feel your pain.

My doctor referred me to another ob-gyn group that performed vaginal laser surgery on me last week. I will go back again in 6 weeks and then 6 weeks after that. Then once a year. It is supposed to "cure" it. It is expensive - $ 500 each time but I am desperate and willing to try it. I do feel some relief after the first procedure. Will keep you all posted.

Since you are in PA it might be possible for you to go to NYC, I have a strong recommendation to go to Renew Physical Therapy for painful sex. Also you can get the book "Ending Female Pain" by Isa Herrera (available on Amazon). You may have a PT in your area also who focuses on painful sex and women's health issues, you could ask your doctor. This is probably just one part of the puzzle that you are dealing with, but for me it was a big part! Hope this is helpful.

Julie, I'm so glad you found relief and figured it out too!! That's fantastic! Coconut oil is awesome, and I wanted to pass on, that coconut oil is also good for personal itch issues. Mom had a stroke and I was her caregiver...I'd mix up borax mixed in with dr bronners soap and warm water to wash her privates, then gave her a bit of coconut oil to rub on, and she just loved it! It is a mild antimicrobial as well as being good to ingest and good to cook with too!

That's no ordinary Chapstick or lip balm, Since the lady mentioned beeswax, I'm pretty sure that has to be a "Burts Bees" product!

I am looking for a specialist for painful sex not sure which of the conditions I have maybe a combo of a few but was wondering what specialist you where refer. to and how it worked for you.

Sounds like the Walcher's position: http://spinningbabies.com/learn-more/techniques/other-techniques/walchers-open-the-brim/

Is it so? I usually recommend my clients to do it on the edge of the arm of the sofa...

I second the baking soda douche treatment, I suffered for two years with cyclical burning, pain, irritation, and pain with sex. The symptoms were always worse during the couple weeks before my period. I was treated for yeast and bv multiple times but nothing brought relief. I also had a skin biopsy done which only revealed inflammation. I also began taking a lot of probiotics during this time and my symptoms got worse and worse. I eventually moved to Houston for work and found a specialist here who immediately diagnosed me with cytolitic vaginosis. Now, as long as I do the baking soda douches regularly, I am good to go!

After two years of suffering, this has been such a huge relief. I do have some residual pain with sex, probably from a learned 'guarding' response of the pelvic floor muscles, and I am getting physical therapy for that and I apply lidocaine jelly before sex. Things continue to improve.

Hello, my name is Myra and I really appreciate your article about using a baking soda douche. I've done it quite a few times and was amazed at how good I felt afterwards. My question to you is how often should I douche? I would do it everyday if I was sure I wouldn't be causing myself more harm. Thank you in advance.

I was desperate and I search the Web found this post, so I tried it and omg it worked. Although there is estrogen medicine that works, but I have no insurance right now, so this gives a great amout of relief. I used this method with some body cooling towelettes, (cleaned my area, then wiped it down with towelettes, then rubbed the Bee wax soothing chapstick, they did not have peppermint, so I got the one with eucalyptus and menthol, I feel alot better...Whew sometimes old remedies are the best, thanks!!

Vulvodynia: I tried using all the listed remedies for the severe burning all of which provided some relief for the symptoms but no cure.

Out of desperation I tried a fast with a special soup called Hippocrates Soup by Dr. Max Gerson made for cancer and the burning disappeared within 2 days. You can find the recipe online. Totally miraculous. Everything back to normal after months of not being able to walk or do anything without pain.

So I'm posting this hoping it can help anyone out there. This is a fast which should be used for a couple of weeks. It's not easy and should be supplemented with vegetable smoothies only. No other food or drink, take protein pills - grass fed liver pills only, available at health stores or amazon. No fruit but Kafir yoghurt is okay.

The worst thing that can happen is you cleanse your system. It's really bland, do NOT add salt or have salt at all in your diet during this time. Add only a cup of water when simmering soup and don't use a pressure cooker, only stove top.

I hope this helps someone. Be sure the veggies are organic.

I had terrible sensitivity for about six months, redness and rash. Two things worked: Check that your washing powder is non biological. Also use coldish water hand spray and it literally gets rid of the sting and redness.

Women's Health Update: Cytolytic Vaginosis; A Vaginitis You May Not Have Heard About

Cytolytic vaginosis(CV) is the current term for a condition of lactobacilli overgrowth. It is a little recognized but common cause of cyclic vulvovaginal complaints in women of reproductive age. CV is often misdiagnosed as candidiasis and most women have tried many antifungal medications both conventional and alternative, with little or no relief.

CV was first described as a clinical entity by Cibley and Cibley in 1982 and it was initially referred to as Doderlein's cytolysis (DC). They observed that the symptoms of CV were similar to Candida vaginitis, but when viewed under a microscope, there were differences.( 1,2) The name of Doderlein's was abandoned because these same authors realized that DC only refers to the Doderlein's species of lactobacilli when in fact there are approximately 80 different species of lactobacilli that have been described. CV was then proposed as the more accurate term that described the actual destruction of the epithelial cells caused by the overgrowth of lactobacilli. The experience of Cibley and Cibley was that the majority of the patients referred to them that thought they had chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis actually had CV instead.( 1)

The normal ecosystem of the vagina involves many different organisms that are involved in a system of checks and balances. No other concept in vaginal health is as important as the state of the ecosystem of the vagina. The flora that colonizes the vagina takes place in the birth canal during delivery, and the flora that is established in the newborn girl must therefore consist of the same strains as in the mother. The vaginal environment of a newborn changes during the first month, then again at prepuberty, puberty, during the reproductive years and post-menopausally. Additionally, the cyclic hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle also influence the vaginal ecosystem. It is a variable state throughout a woman's lifetime, but nothing is more key to this ecosystem than lactobacillus. The range of bacterial types isolated is immense, including Staphylococcus species, Garnerella vaginalis, Streptococcus species, Bacteriodes species, Lactobacillus species, Mobiluncus, Candida species, (most commonly Candida albicans), and more. The predominant organism isolated from the normal vagina are members of the Lactobacillus genus. One species of bacteria inhibits another and an elegant combination of pH, vaginal immunity, hormonal activity and the community of organisms that occupy the vagina interact in a manner in which bacterial overgrowth is controlled, unless the well-established mechanism of balance is thrown off by one factor or another.

Factors controlling this defense system include the health of the vaginal squamous epithelium, the dominance of Lactobacilli and the subsequent low or acid pH balance and hydrogen peroxide production, hormonal activity both over our lifetime as well as our monthly cyclic changes, pregnancy, contraceptive devices, feminine hygiene products, and vaginal sexual activity including friction, lubricants, foreign objects, and semen.

It has been proposed that lactobacilli and possibly other bacteria cause the symptoms of CV. Even though we lack full understanding about the exact mechanism of lactobacilli overgrowth, a clinical condition does exist with this overgrowth that manifests as chronic cyclic burning and itching. It appears that this is probably related to an overgrowth of lactobacilli that produces irritating acids.( 1)

Several mechanisms are possible for how Lactobacillus in normal amounts does its remarkable job of controlling the environment. A low vaginal pH is believed to be a primary mechanism controlling the composition of the vaginal micro flora. Lactic acid is produced by the metabolism of lactobacillus and although there may be other ways in which the vagina maintains its normal acidic environment, the role of lactobacilli seems evident. Lactobacilli thrive at an acidic pH of 3.5-4.5 and these values are indeed found in the normal vagina throughout the menstrual cycle.

Lactobacilli have also been shown to interfere with how pathogenic bacteria adhere and colonize the cells of the vagina.( 3) Hydrogen peroxide production is another well-recognized method of antagonism to problematic bacterial populations and there are strains of lactobacilli that produce hydrogen peroxide (H( 2)O( 2)). A lack of H( 2)O( 2) producing lactobacilli predisposes a woman to bacterial vaginosis by allowing the overgrowth of Gardnerella and other anaerobic bacteria. Lactobacilli also act directly as antibacterials( 4) and may function as an immune stimulant locally in controlling microbial levels in the vagina.

But what happens when there is too much Lactobacilli? Several species of lactobacilli ferment both glycogen and glucose to lactic acid, carbon dioxide, alcohol, formic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. It is these acids that cause the problem. When lactobacilli overgrow, toe many acids are produced, causing vulvar irritation and itching.

Symptoms

Symptoms of CV usually mimic those of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The most common symptom is itching, but vulvar burning, dysuria, and entry dyspareunia are often present as well. Cyclical and recurrent symptoms typically occur during the luteal phase and worsen premenstrually, increasing in intensity and severity until the onset of menses. Once the onset of menstrual flow occurs, the blood raises the vaginal pH and there is often dramatic relief of symptoms.( 1)

The physical exam is not particularly different from candida vulvovaginitis. The vulva may appear red and slightly swollen. There may be a small amount of white and slightly clumpy discharge. The vulvar tissues may be a little tender with discomfort during the speculum exam. The cervix, vagina, uterus and adnexae are normal unless there is also some other kind of co-infection. Even the pH of the vagina is normal in CV.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CV is improved if the clinician has a high degree of suspicion of the condition. The history and physical exam basically mimics candida vulvovaginitis. The key is in the microscopic exam: 1) false clue cells with agglutination of lactobacilli to epithelial cells; 2) few white blood cells; 3) cytolysis of epithelial cells with pale or bare nuclei/cytoplasm and poorly defined cell borders; 4) absence of yeast, trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis, or other organisms.( 1)

Repeat microscopic exams that reveal the same findings is confirmation of CV. As you know, each episode of vaginitis symptoms may be due to a different cause.

Treatment

The goal of therapy is aimed at reducing the overgrowth of lactobacilli and providing relief of symptoms. Use of antifungal agents, both conventional and alternative, should be discontinued because these agents may contribute to the recurring nature of the condition. Use of lactobacilli in the form of yogurt, supplements and suppositories should be stopped. It may also be wise to discontinue use of tampons because unimpeded menstrual flow acts much like an alkalinizing agent, raising the vaginal pH and inhibiting the overgrowth of lactobacilli.

Baking soda sitz baths offer relief by removing irritating acid secretions from contact with the vulvar tissues and also just a local soothing effect to excoriated tissue from itching. Mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 to 2 inches of warm bath water. Sit in the sitz bath twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash the tub after each use. Baking soda douches should be reserved for women whose symptoms do not respond to the sitz baths. This is because douching removes vaginal secretions and can disrupt the desired organisms in the vagina and create further problems in maintaining an ecological balance. Consider douching with baking soda once or twice a week during symptomatic phases when the sitz baths do not provide relief. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a pint of warm water and gently douche either in the bathtub or over the toilet.

Cytolytic vaginosis may coexist with candidiasis and may need to be managed by combining therapy for both. Using the local antifungal agent in the morning and the baking soda gentle douche in the evening for seven days would be an appropriate regime that may need to be repeated monthly in the premenstrual phase of the cycle.

Other recommendations may prove prudent:

Reduce dietary sugar.
Avoid soap in the genital area. Instead, wash with plain water, use pure unscented mineral oil on cotton balls as a cleanser
Wear white, all cotton underwear and launder with mild soap and hot water, rinsing thoroughly.
Avoid sexual intercourse during symptoms and initial therapy. Oral sex should also be avoided during symptomatic periods because bacteria in the partner's mouth may be irritating to the vulva.
Summary

As women and clinicians become aware of CV, women with cyclic vulvovaginitis will receive better health care and be managed more appropriately. With improved diagnosis of this condition and accurate treatment, fewer women will experience cyclic recurrences of their vaginitis. Success is especially seen when the wrong treatments are discontinued and something as simple as using menstrual pads are used instead of tampons. Treatment approaches to treat CV must be modified as necessary and practitioners must recognize the individual needs of each patient and be willing to be creative and somewhat experimental, utilizing the basic concepts and understanding of CV that we have discussed here.

References
(1.) Cibley J, Cibley J. Cytolytic vaginosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 165: 1245-1248(supple 2).

(2.) Kaufman R, Friedrich E, Gardner H. Benign diseases of the vulva and vagina (ed 3). Chicago, III, Year Book Medical, 1989: 371-418.

(3.) Chan R, Bruce A, Reid G. Adherence of cervical, vaginal and distal urethral normal microbial flora to human uroepithelial cells and the inhibition of adherence of gram-negative uropathogens by competitive exclusion, J Urol/1984; 131: 596-601.

(4.) Andersson R, Daeschel M, Hassan H. Antibacterial activity of plantaricin SIK-83, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum, Biochimie 1988; 70:381-90.

Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients.

~~~~~~~~

By Tori Hudson

Thank you for finding my first breakthrough - just the the NAC I am getting virtually no symptoms - then when it got a little borderline I added the vit c and spirulina and it is great. Thank you...

Yes, this really helps me when things are bad. It also helps the urinary frequency feeling which vulvodynia gives ones.

Not sure this will help you and you probably already know this but:

wear cotton or NO underwear
when you wash use your fingertips and not a wash cloth
perhaps swab with a diluted betadyn solution once or twice a day to keep infection down

I used to get many vag infections and I know this is diff than the staff you get but douching with yogurt helped

I suffered terribly with clitoral pain for 6 weeks being told it was just first a yeast infection, and then just low estrogen due to the fact that I was breastfeeding. It took many trips to the gyn, gastro-enterologist and a sigmoidoscopy (b/c I was also having some rectal symptoms) to finally be referred to the dermatologist who found by swabbing that area that I had group strep A ( like strep throat but genitally). My son had been found to have this rectally maybe 6 weeks ago when my symptoms started. I had mentioned that and they thought I was crazy to suggest it. I was so angered that I was right all this time and all it would have taken was a swab like I asked them to do. I suffered so much pain daily since it's the most sensitive spot of your body that I do believe like you wrote that maybe my now vulvodynia is a result of my body bracing for the daily pain for so long. It's getting better, however, I feel as if I might have just recently set myself back by either a probiotic or a new raw vitamin (with probiotic also in it) that I am taking. I also eat a lot of yogurt. Perhaps I am getting TOO much lactobacilli. I feel really sore around "6 and 8 oclock" but see nothing except morecervical mucus than usual. I'm thinking I'll stop the probiotic and vitamin and see. Please email me if you have any useful feedback.

You are AMAZING!! This really works. I have been in a flare that has been absolutely miserable for two weeks now! This morning I tried making a paste with baby oatmeal bath, left it on for 15 minutes, got a shower, and when I got out I air dried and then used Beeswax with Vitamin E and Peppermint. You're right... It does burn for a little bit, but the relief is unbelievable! This Thanksgiving I am thankful for you, your post and peppermint beeswax lip balm :)

I have been taking this combo almost everyday for two weeks and have not had any improvement. I know this blog (thanks to Anna for all the information) says this should help within hours, but I wondered if it could take longer the first time. It's starting to feel like the same old exercise in futility. I'm glad this combo is working for some of us with this problem, anyway. I'm considering the amitriptyline/nortriptyline route, which I've been avoiding for years.

There is talk about vulvodynia being an allergy. I currently take 1 10mg elavil a.m. and p.m. along with 25 mgs of benadryl and the pain of the general vulvodynia has stopped. It's been 2 months.

For Vulvodynia, I tried everything mentioned on this site and nothing helped then I read Effective Treatments By Clive Solomons, Ph. D. and yesterday I started taking calcium citrate, two twice a day and in less then 24 hours my pain went from a 10 down to a 5.

Hi, Hellen from Romania. I take the combo all at once. The NAC 600mgs with vitamin C 2,000mgs and three sprulina tablets all together and on an empty stomach. I also take a multi mineral at a different time of the day as the NAC is good at getting rid of heavy metals like mercury and lead but it can also take zinc and copper out of the body over time... So you need to replace that. Take care, hope this helps, Anna from Seattle.

Anna from Seattle, Washington, Usa... hello, can you please tell me if you took this combo of NAC 600mg, vitamin C 2000 mg and 3 capsules of Spirulin all at once or did you take it fractioned during the day (like 600 mg vitamin C in the morning and 1 capsule of spirulin and the same at lunch and in the evening, NAC is only 600 mg capsule so that can't be fractioned..) Thanks!

Thank you.

Burt's bees is what I started out using and when I ran out I made my own. It seems to work the same. This was the recipe I used: http://www.brokeandhealthy.com/diy-burts-bees-style-lip-balm-8?-per-tube

Hi. What brand is the chapstick? Thank you

I have struggled with vulvodynia for five years now and through my desperation I think I have finally found something that works. I have tried everything imaginabled from prescriptions to remedies on this site and it is always the same story, it works and then one day it flares back up and I lose all hope in a miracle cure. Recently baking soda was that cure for me, when it didn't work anymore I was in so much pain. I was desperate! I used an ice pack to try to get the swelling to go down when I woke up in the middle of the night the ice pack had busted open and I had tearing, sores, and swelling. As crazy as it sounds I had a natural beeswax chap stick that was peppermint flavored sitting beside me and I thought, that will give me a cooling sensation and I wont have to worry about a bag of ice busting... Hmm why not? It burned pretty intensely for about a minute but it was a cool burn so it didn't bother me.

I was able to get some sleep and when I woke up all of the tearing, sores, and swelling were GONE! I kid you not! I was so excited nothing I've tried worked that quickly before. I don't really know why it worked but I have continuously applied it twice a day. Haven't had a flare up in over a month since doing this. I don't think it really "cured" anything, I worry if I stop it I could have another flare up. It did however stop the pain and keep it away since I've been using it. I've also been going to the chiropractor, stopped my birth control, and am taking herbal adrenal support remedies to help balance out my hormones. I've been doing that for about 6 months now and I feel it has helped tremedously but has not cured me yet. It does seem to slow down the frequency of flares I do have so I feel I am on the right track but for immediate pain relief the chap stick 100% took care of the issue. I hope this helps someone!

SFnative you can always just give the combo a try and see how it goes. If you have a lot of increased bladder pain then certainly stop. I know that last year I had a bladder infection and even after it was gone I still had an uncomfortable irritation that felt like it was still there and so took another round of antibiotics but the pain stayed so then I decided to start up the combo and it took it away. I know sometimes the vulvodynia can cause irritation around the urethra and make you "feel" like you have to constanly pee but it's just irritation so not sure if mine was really an IC type situation. You could also try buffered vitamin C as that is less acidic on the system. I know that some berries make my vulvodynia worse but the combo has never bothered me.

Hi All, I've suffered with Interstitial Cystitis for 20 years, and now the past few years with Vuvodynia and Vulvar Vestibulitis. The burning and rawness is horrible. Doctors have tried everything for a few years now. I have done EVERYTHING!!!!!! IC has been controlled with Botox injections to the Pelvic Floor Muscles, so that is tolerable. But I am on a constant no acid diet, no oxalates, so I'm wondering about the high Vitamin C content in your pills up above. I never, ever eat anything with Vitamin C and haven't for years as it aggravates my bladder and IC. Does anyone have that problem???

Shannon, I found this information on a pdf online about using baking soda douches for treating CV:

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with 4 cups of warm water. A douche bag, which can be purchased at most pharmacies, is then used to infiltrate the vagina with the solution. Or, you can purchase baking soda douches over the counter at most pharmacies. Douche twice weekly for two weeks.

Alternatively, if douching would be difficult, fill empty gelatin capsules with baking soda and insert one capsule intravaginally, twice weekly for two weeks.

Khristine, Thank you SO MUCH for your posting. I have been going crazy trying to figure out what was going on down there. Even with all the research I've done into BV, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and pelvic floor muscle tightness, I had never heard of Cytolitic Vaginosis. I know this is what I have because after reading a medical article titled "Cytolitic Vaginosis and Lactobacillosis" on a site for nurse-practitioners-and-physician-assistants, I identify with the fact that the symptoms go away during menstruation and that the skin around the opening of my vagina is irritated by the acidified discharge.

I don't know if the baking soda douches will help, but I will try them, and I will stop taking probiotics until the issue is resolved. I read on another health board that a woman used a pH balanced lubricant every night and treated her CV. You can find it by searching for the postings by mamacitas on a thread titled "Yeast, Lactobacillosis or Cytolytic Vaginosis???"

Anyway, good luck to everyone in their search for an answer. Sometimes I think some of us know more than our doctors - let's keep sharing what we know!

SandrafromHouston, I take it on an empty stomach and besides the vulvodynia I think it also generally makes me feel better.

Bluesky, I think it's really wonderful to hear it worked for you I know two other's on the other forum I used to post on, said it worked for them also. I think many don't try it because they think its a weird combo. I dont' think it's a total cure but I think at least it seems to stop the itching and then burning and like you said if your starting to feel bad it seems to work pretty quickly. That's interesting what your doctor told you about vitamin C I will look into that. Like I said I was given it for getting rid of heavy metals so remember to take a good multi mineral while you're on it. Again, I think it's so wonderful to hear that it helps as I know this condition is hell, take care, Anna

Ana, I have tried everything possible and I was really starting to give up hope and becoming very depressed that at the age of 24 I was going to live the rest of my life with this pain!! I have done HOURS of research and finally came across your story and I tried your stretch exercise one time for about 45 mins and I have little to no pain since then.. I feel like this is a miracle and you are heaven sent!! I seriously can't thank you enough and I would really like to get the word out about how these stretching exercises and how they really do work!! Thank you sooo much.. You have saved my life!!!

I tried the Amino Acid Nac, Vitamin C and Spirulina and it worked for me. I had gone to my GYN and she had told me that I was deficient in Vitamin C. When I saw this post, I guessed it had something to do with this so I tried it. Thank you so much for sharing. It has changed my life. I was getting it almost every single week or every other week. So painful! Now, if I forget to take the vitamins everyday, as soon as I feel itching, I now its coming. A couple of hours of taking the vitamins, the itching subsides. As long as I take them everyday, I have not had an episode. Thanks a million.

For all those suffering from this painful condition, try this combination. If it doesn't work, you might have a vitamin deficiency. Ask your doctor to perform blood work to see where you are deficient and try taking those vitamins.

I also have Amy Stein's book and it is very interesting covering not just womens issues but pelvic issues for children to old people. My PT said it might help me, but it wasn't my answer but did help me understand why one of my children had disconnect with bladder and bowel and was also muscular and tightly wound. Patience is so important with our fellow humans and their sufferrings. Thank you for your story. May all your outcomes be GOOD ones. Love, Joy

WHAT REALLY HELPED ME!!!

Hello, Just wanted to write and say that I too have had almost complete success in treating vulvodynia. Sorry, this is a very very long post... But please take the time to read it, it might help you!! After 3 years of hell I have found a way of managing my pain, and learned a lot about my body in the process. I know how awful the condition is, and really want to help:

I had been suffering from provoked vulvodynia for three years, since age 17. It was ruining my life. I had pain-free sex for a year prior to this, and then after a minor back accident I started experiencing symptoms of nerve damage, such as spasming down my left leg and muscle contractions. Eventually this manifested itself into excrutiating vaginal and clitoral pain, and about a year after the vaginal pain began I started getting stinging bladder pain every time I urinated, which gradually got worse and worse. I would also be in pain at least three days after attempting to have sex - it would feel like I had been kicked repeatedly in the abdomen. I think because of my age doctors were even more reluctant to admit that I had a problem - I was told on many occassions that the pain was all in my head and that 'I just needed to have more sex'. Over the course of those three years I sunk into quite a depression, and was no longer confident about my sexuality. I viewed all men as predators, and was not able to experience the kind of life most of my friends were experiencing. University was horrible because I felt like I was the odd one out, who was in too much pain to date boys. And I used to internalise my pain as if it were a huge dark secret... I was too embarrassed to tell anybody, except a few close friends back home, and my mum. I was very lucky to have my mum's support - I would urge anybody who has this condition to speak to someone close about it, because it is too much of a burden to carry around on your own. There were times when I felt utterly hopeless and lonely and considered taking my own life - I don't know what I would have done without support from the people around me.

Anyway, I tried all the usual things... Estrogen cream, amitryptaline, gabapentin, acupuncture, a low oxalate diet etc. Nothing worked. I decided to see a chiropractor who specialised in pelvic pain that I had come across online, and she told me that my pelvis was severely misaligned, (due to my posture, my skeletal structure from birth and the minor back accident I had) and that this was probably affecting a nerve that supplied my genitals. She also suggested that I might have a tight piriformis muscle, which is the muscle that the pudendal (genital) nerve runs through - and this might be damaging the nerve. My left foot stuck out to one side when I was lying down, and this suggested piriformis syndrome. I had quite a few (expensive) sessions with her, but every week my pelvis would slip back into its old misaligned position because my core muscles were not strong enough to hold it in place, and the harsh chiropractic technique seemed to aggravate the nerve rather than help it - I was having bad flare-ups where my muscles would spasm a lot and pain would shoot down from my lower back into my left hip, down to my knee, my big toe... The sexual pain did not improve either - it was still literally extrutiating to attempt sex or any kind of sexual contact, and unfortunately I had no understanding partner who I could practice with -not many boys in their late teens would stick around with someone with my issues, I thought. If I got interest from a boy I would always push them away, and completely ignore my own feelings in the process. Sex became so scary and I not only worried about pain but also my own inexperience from all that time I was forced to be celebate.

After much pursuasion and a long time to-ing and fro-ing from surgery to hospital clinic I managed to convince a reluctant dermatologist ( - who told me that she had been seeing women with my condition for 40 yrs, and had not managed to cure one of them - she also told me that my pain was 'probably all psychological' -) to refer me to a neurologist. The neurologist carried out an EMG test on my back and yes - I did have a trapped nerve in the lumbar region of my spine. The neurologist said that this nerve could also be affecting the nerve that supplies the genitals, the pudendal nerve - so I am due for another EMG to find out if this is the case in about a weeks time.

Six weeks ago, despairing because my pain was still very bad and I had tried and failed at everything the doctors had suggested, I went to see a physical therapist. The man I see broke his back in a motorbike accident in his twenties and was told by doctors he would never walk again. He is now in his fifties and super fit. He trains many people and has a great knowledge of the human body.

I told him my symptoms and he agreed that a tight piriformis muscle might be constricting the pudendal nerve. After doing some stretches she identified that I did indeed have piriformis syndrome. Over the last six weeks he has been giving me a course of exercises to stretch out the piriformis muscle and realign my crooked pelvis, and I do stretches similar to those described in Amy Stein's book (I do have a copy of the book, but I think it was very important for me to be told exactly how to do these stretches properly, so as not to do more damage than good - I am also very lazy and it helps me to stay motivated seeing a personal trainer once a week. I think also, each body is different, and it is important to tailor your regime to suit your needs) and in that short time, I have completely eliminated my muscle spasms, I no longer have back pain that radiates into my leg and foot, and my bladder pain has disappeared. My vulval pain, that was at an 8.5 - 9 out of ten, is now at a 1 - 2. I am hoping this will continue to get better - I am also trying meditation in order to dispell any anticipated pain that my brain might be holding on to. Seeing a physical therapist is quite expensive but 100% worth it. Once I learn to do these exercises properly and integrate them into my daily regime, I will have them for life, and will no longer need to see the therapist.

In order to maintain this pain free life I have to do the stretches and exercises for at least half an hour every day. In modern life we are forced to sit at desks and slump in chairs a lot and this is so bad for our posture - it is amazing what stretching out the core muscles can do. Through exercise I have effectively cured my tight muscles and piriformis syndrome which were pressing down on a nerve. It is important that we have strong supportive core muscles before we can work on the superficial muscles, because it is the ones deep down that stabalize everything and make sure we do not get musculo-skeletal problems.

Having to deal with vulvodynia has completely changed me as a person. In a warped way it has actually benefitted me in that I was forced to examine myself as a person rather than just a sexual object - I used to play on my sexuality a lot, and having this condition has really taught me to not rely on these assets, and instead develop a strong character and personality that makes me valuable for more than just my physicality. Sorry if this sounds cheesy, and I'm not trying to peddle dime-store feminism or anything, but it's true! I couldn't rely on male attention for my self esteem anymore so I had to find it elsewhere, through developing hobbies and exploring more Buddhist ideas and accepting the bad things that happened to me. I have also got more male friends now, because I have been able to develop strong friendships without any sexual agenda. I am starting to speak up about my condition. I have told two close male friends and both have been sympathetic, and not treated me any differently. Any man that is seriously going to judge you for this is not worth your time of day.

For those of you in England, the Vulval Pain Society puts on some very inspiring talks about managing pain. I was so nervous about going to a talk but it made me feel optimistic. Many of the speakers are women who have managed to cure themselves though things like hypnosis and meditation. David Nunns, the head of VPS, also speaks, and gives a lot of valuable information about how to navigate the heath system with a condition that a lot of so-called 'health professionals' are completely ignorant about. The best thing about the day was meeting many women and their partners with the same issues as me. Vulvodynia is a very isolating condition and it is so comforting but also saddening to know that I am not alone, and there are many other women experiencing the same things as me. There were women of all ages at the talk - at least five women were in their early twenties like me, which was reassuring.

The last thing I will say is that I know from experience that the worst thing to do when you are feeling depressed about this awful condition is spend hours trawling the internet reading about people's experiences - most people that post online about this choose to be negative, sadly. This is not beneficial for the person writing the negative post, or the person reading it. I think as we are all going through this together we have a responsibility to try and offer helpful and encouraging advice to each other.

In the next few weeks I am going to try a method for neuropathy called Body Stress Release. It is supposed to be beneficial for vulvodynia - you can find out about it online. The pudendal neuralgia EMG test is very scary and invasive but hopefully it will give me even more answers when I have it. I wish you all the best of luck and hope that many of you will turn to exercise as a means of curing your pain. Thank you for reading this! There is always hope for the future no matter how desolate things seem now.

So you just take all three at once. Do you take it before or meal or with a meal or just when you have pain?

Epretty my vulvodynia started with just pain during sex but then later changed to constant unprovoked pain. After trying many things over many years, the one thing that suddenly stopped the constant pain was this combo.